What is a Southern Steer franchisee required to do with updates and changes set out in the Brand Manual?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
, or otherwise modify the Food, Beverages and Products and other food, food items, equipment, FF&E and services which the Southern Steer Business is authorized to offer or use; (c) change, improve or modify the Marks; and (d) delete, add to or otherwise modify the Brand Manual. Franchisee may be notified of such changes by any method, including but not limited to, e mail, posting the changes to an Intranet, mail, teleconference or facsimile. Franchisee will be responsible for any updates and changes set out in the Brand Manual, and will modify its operations of the Southern Steer Business to implement all such required changes, additions and supplements reflected in the Manual at Franchisee cost within the time period specified by Franchisor.
- 11.3. Ownership of Brand Manual. Franchisee hereby acknowledge that the Brand Manual is loaned to Franchisee and will at all times remain the sole and exclusive property of Franchisor. Franchisee is prohibited from making copies of or otherwise disseminating the Brand Manual. The Franchisee will not use the Brand Manual, or any information contained therein for any purpose other than the operation of the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business. Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever, Franchisee will forthwith return all copies of the Brand Manual which Franchisee may have to Franchisor.
- 11.4. Confidentiality of Manual. The Franchisee will treat the Brand Manual and any other manuals created for or approved for use in the operation of the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business as Confidential Information.
Source: Item 22 — ITEM. 22 CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–168)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Southern Steer Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for implementing all updates and changes outlined in the Brand Manual. This includes modifying their Southern Steer business operations to align with these changes, additions, and supplements, and bearing the costs associated with these modifications. The timeframe for implementing these changes will be specified by Southern Steer. Franchisees are expected to monitor their email and any System intranet frequently to stay informed about new developments to the Brand Manual and System standards.
Southern Steer may modify the Brand Manual at its discretion due to competitive circumstances, customer needs, or technological innovations. These changes can include altering the components of the System, modifying the food, beverages, and products offered, changing the Marks, and updating the Brand Manual itself. Southern Steer may notify franchisees of these changes through various methods, such as email, intranet postings, mail, teleconferences, or fax.
The Brand Manual remains the sole and exclusive property of Southern Steer, and franchisees are prohibited from making copies or disseminating it. Franchisees can only use the Brand Manual for operating their Southern Steer Business. Upon termination of the Franchise Agreement, franchisees must return all copies of the Brand Manual to Southern Steer.
Compliance with the Brand Manual and all present and future standards is essential for preserving the goodwill of the System and Marks, and failure to comply constitutes a breach of the Franchise Agreement. All mandatory standards, specifications, formats, processes, requirements, instructions, and procedures prescribed by Southern Steer in the Brand Manual or otherwise communicated to the franchisee will be considered provisions of the Franchise Agreement.